Sports

Derry baseball looks to build on last season’s strong finish

March 9, 2019

Injuries early last season propelled the Derry baseball team into oblivion by midseason, but it was an opportunity to build for the future.

Apollo Ridge’s Mollie Charlton works out on the first day of softball practice at Apollo Ridge High School.

No shortage of energy for Apollo-Ridge softball

Apollo-Ridge senior pitcher Mollie Charlton felt it. Heck, she could almost taste it.

Norwin, Penn-Trafford bowling teams claim regional titles

There will be quite a contingent of Westmoreland County bowlers heading east to Lancaster next week for the state bowling championships after a stellar performance from several area teams Saturday at the Western Pennsylvania regionals at North Versailles Bowl.

Greensburg Salem’s Megan Kallock drives past Knoch’s Abbey Shearer during their game Thursday, Dec. 20, 2018, in Greensburg.

Heavy Westmoreland presence expected for Roundball Classic

Rosters are out for the Roundball Classic all-star basketball games, set for April 12-13 at Geneva College in Beaver Falls.

Derry’s Alexis Jellison winds up a pitch for catcher Shelby Glick during softball drills and team practice Wednesday, March 6, 2019 at Derry Area High School.

Derry softball returns 8 starters, hopes drop to Class 3A pays off

Could this be a year of playoff success for the Derry softball team?

Hopewell’s Jacob Ealy celebrates with coaches after defeating Saegertown’s Kenny Kiser in the 138-pound Class AA championship final during the PIAA state wrestling tournament on Saturday, March 9, 2019 at the Giant Center in Hershey.

Hopewell’s Ealy among 3 WPIAL wrestlers to capture PIAA Class AA championships

HERSHEY — Jacob Ealy was hunting history in Hershey, and he didn’t let the opportunity pass him by.

Deep, experienced pitching staff has Burrell baseball optimistic

Success in high school baseball can become an arms race, and Burrell believes it has plenty of firepower.

Westmoreland high school notes: P-T’s Lisbon gets first 2 D-I offers

A running back with breakaway speed, one who averaged nearly 9 yards a carry last season, has his first two Division I offers.

Franklin Regional softball coach Jim Armstrong talks with Mallory Halleck during practice March 7, 2019, at Franklin Regional.

Experienced Franklin Regional softball team eyes more success

Franklin Regional has strung together four consecutive winning seasons in softball.

Allderdice’s Terrell Childs celebrates after the Dragons defeated Canon-McMillan in a PIAA Class 6A first round state playoff game Saturday, Mar. 9, 2019, at Mt. Lebanon High School.

City League champion Allderdice defeats Canon-McMillan in overtime

Canon-McMillan chose to chase Allderdice’s guards around the court, so the Dragons turned instead to their 6-foot-7 center with a scorer’s touch.

Seneca Valley’s Alejandro Herrera celebrates defeating Karl Shindledecker of Chambersburg in the 113-pound Class AAA semifinals during the PIAA state wrestling tournament on Saturday, March 9, 2019 at the Giant Center in Hershey. Herrera, the returning PIAA champion, will face Franklin Regional’s Finn Solomon in the final.

PIAA Class AAA wrestling finals to feature 3 all-WPIAL matchups

HERSHEY — The state wrestling finals will feature some WPIAL tournament reprisals.

Neshannock’s Isabella Burelli blocks the shot of Tyrone’s Reily Ronan during PIAA first-round action Friday March 8, 2019 at North Allegheny High School.

WPIAL champion Neshannock advances in PIAA playoffs with 4-point victory over Tyrone

Neleh Nogay scored 14 points and Bella Burrelli added 10 as WPIAL champion Neshannock defeated Tyrone, 42-38, Friday night in a PIAA Class 3A first-round victory at North Allegheny.

New Castle’s Demetris McKnight scores past Titusville’s Cole Culver during PIAA first-round action Friday March 8, 2019 at North Allegheny High School.

WPIAL champion New Castle holds off Titusville in PIAA 1st-round victory

This was the sixth time New Castle entered the state playoffs as WPIAL champion under coach Ralph Blundo, so he understands the so-called “WPIAL hangover” better than most.

Highlands’ Johnny Crise (left) and Korry Myers walk off the court as time expires in their PIAA Class 4A loss to Huntingdon at Hollidaysburg.

Undefeated Huntingdon pulls away from Highlands boys in state playoffs

Hollidaysburg — Highlands boys basketball coach Tyler Stoczynski said he was proud of the way his team battled after early adversity in Friday’s PIAA Class 4A first-round game against Huntingdon.

Penn Hills boys ousted by Muhlenberg in PIAA Class 5A 1st round

March 8, 2019

HERSHEY — Penn Hills had overtime in its sights. But a 3-point attempt, coming off a weave that chewed up 10 of the remaining 12 seconds, came up short.

Valley’s Noah Hutcherson battles Chestnut Ridge’s Jared McGill in the 170-pound class AA semifinal during the PIAA state wrestling tournament on Friday, March 8, 2019 at the Giant Center in Hershey. Hutcherson lost 17-2 by technical fall to McGill.

Burrell, Valley wrestlers to compete in Saturday’s PIAA Class AA medal rounds

HERSHEY — There won’t be a golden ticket in Chocolate Town for Burrell or Valley wrestlers, but they will come home from Pennsylvania’s biggest high school wrestling tournament with a consolation prize.